LCGC North America-12-01-2006

Over the last ten years or so, information gathered by applying atmospheric ionization techniques in mass spectrometry teaches us two things: 1) that liquid is a vestigial remnant of condensed-phase liquid chromatography and 2) that solvent in the gas phase limits ionization to molecules that are more basic than the solvent.

Laboratories use paper notebooks to document research, experiments and procedures, similar to that of a personal journal or, in some cases, a scrapbook. Laboratory notebooks are essential wherever scientific research is conducted, where data is collected, and where ideas that could be patented are developed. The lab notebook is often considered to be a legal document and can be used in court as evidence.

This month, Leslie Ettre briefly investigates whether the principles of chromatography - either consciously or unconsciously - were used in some ancient work.

Waters Corporation (Milford, Massachusetts) announced its sponsorship of two American Chemical Society Achievement Awards.

Excess variability is not acceptable in a pharmaceutical method.

Modern gas chromatography (GC) capillary columns are rugged and forgiving but some care should be taken when handling and using these high-efficiency columns. In this installment of "Column Watch," the authors discuss the issues surrounding avoiding column breakage, stationary phase damage, and column contamination. Prolonging the life of a column by keeping an oxygen-free system, providing a cleaner sample, and not exceeding the upper temperature limit of the stationary phase are highlighted in this practical discussion.

2006 Index of Authors and Subjects